CEDO 550 Week 5

This week in As the CEDO 550 Turns has been a busy one.  The course is one semester's worth of work packed into 6 weeks.  Now I understand what is truly meant by an accelerated Master's Program.   I have been examining online tools and spent some time looking at a poplar LMS called Moodle.  Moodle is short for Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment and it is designed to support a social constructivist framework for education.  Moodle appears to be appropriate for most online learning strategies but it lacks a synchronous classroom component.  Not a problem, I could always link-in Elluminate or another platform to fill the need. 

My experience with online communities includes the launch of Lithium at Pharmacy OneSource, wikis, and social media sites like Facebook and Linked-In.  All online communities require active participation if members are to find it interesting or valuable.  In our MEIT program we use discussion boards to post topics and review ensuing posts from cohorts.   My personal learning is enriched with the immediate feedback and the diversity of opinion that results from these asynchronous posts.  Linked-in allows me to network with professional groups, read about new jobs and participate in discussions.  The latter provide insights into what is currently happening in the job market and focuses my efforts in my career field. 

I believe the biggest benefit of collaborative groups is that it creates an opportunity where the depth and breadth of individual experience is brought to bear on a common problem.    In the MEIT program I often meet with cohorts on a collaborative project.   In our team  we define the project scope and move forward eliciting comments and discussion from everyone.  I never cease to be amazed at the different views and insights individuals share or add to a discussion.   Sure, I have 'my take' on things - but is that the right one?  I feel reassured that my group finds a consensus and we are able to explore the project and together create a viable product we can all feel good about. 

I believe the greatest challenge for collaborative groups in business is that it requires a corporate culture that supports group vs. individual competition.   Teams take on greater responsibility and authority for solving problems while creating improved products and services.   Traditional management roles have to change so that managers and supervisors become team facilitators.   I recently worked within the Agile model of software development and it was a breath of fresh air.  The multidisciplinary teams consisting of software developers, quality assurance and technical liaisons helped the company roll-out better product in a shorter amount of time than traditional approaches.  But, it took a brand new Chief Technology Officer driving the culture shift from the top-down to foster the collaborative vs. cooperative environment. 

My thoughts regarding the social development and socialization issues are unsettled at this time.   Online schools rely on student-centric curriculum involving heavy interaction between teachers, peers and parents.  Online schools further learning outcomes and foster 21st century skills through planned collaborative activities.  Social interactions are planned and are the basis for much student learning.  In the online world, students can open-up to their peers without regard to race, creed, color or economic status.  However, the study we looked at showed the importance of extracurricular activities on online students.   

Online learning does refine remote social skills but it still takes physical interactions to create a well-rounded, socially adept and effective individual.   Do 2 or more kids meet on a playground or basketball court and text each other and reflect on the comments?  Well, it may look that way these days but it is important that social skills furthered in the online environment support face-to-face interactions that people will have with future employers and colleagues.